How do the sex organs normally form?

How do the sex organs normally form?

Your baby’s sex organs develop in three steps. First, your baby’s genetic sex is determined when the sperm fertilizes the egg. The female parent shares an X chromosome and the male parent shares either an X or a Y chromosome. Your baby will be assigned female at birth (AFAB) if an XX chromosome forms. Your baby will be assigned male at birth (AMAB) if an XY chromosome forms.

After your baby’s genetic sex is determined, your baby’s sex organs (gonads) form. A baby AFAB will develop ovaries, and a baby AMAB will develop testes. After that, your baby’s inner reproductive system (internal genitalia) and external genitals form. Hormones from the ovaries or testes shape your baby’s external genitals.

If the process unfolds differently, a difference of sexual development (DSD) can occur. Hormones cause differences of sexual development. Either parent can pass down these hormones, or they can have no clear cause.